Saturday, December 15, 2012

Tis the Reason for the Season

Les prêtres - Il est né le divin enfant

10 comments:

Back when I worked at a small Christian school owned and operated by a woman who had spent some time in France, she used to have the kindergarten students perform this song at every Christmas pageant. How she got those little kids to sing so well was a miracle, IMO! This carol was one of the highlights of the pageant every year.

I should also mention that this woman used to be an opera singer -- fairly well known in her day.

From the Noels for Organ of composer Claude Dacquin, through endearing folks carols like this, on through The Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint Saens and L'enfance du Christ of Hector Berlioz there is always a lively, innocent, affectionate, uniquely piquant strain in French music devoted to Christmas.

Il est ne, le divin enfant works very well in concert when grouped with The Carol of the Bells, Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella and The Coventry Carol. Fortunately for me, I love them all -- and many more besides.

At this time of shock and grief over the senseless slaughter of innocent children in Newton, Connecticut may we look to the Birth of Jesus as a renewed affirmation that Hope, Joy, Truth and Love have again been born into the world to live among us and teach us how to be in touch with our true nature -- the ever-present impulse and desire to give aid, comfort and affection to all who cross our path -- an impulse stifled only by ignorance, superstition and fear of the unknown.

Whenever something dreadful happens, we have a clear choice. Either we succumb to anger and resentment and live in bitterness - OR - we can make a determination take joy in what may be left behind and carry on with hope we may yet build a better future in the time we have left.

Grief at a time like this is certainly appropriate for the victims of yesterday's tragedy, but the tendency to WALLOW in it and let it SPOIL our OWN lives is pernicious and should be voided at all costs.

Wallowing in the muck and more is for SWINE. Human beings were made for better things.

I picked this particular video for two reasons. It highlights 'the reason for the season', le divin enfant, and it also highlights that for the most part the reason for the season is the children.

It is understandable, but still saddens me that the tragedy in Connecticut intrudes even upon this lovely carol.

What I found even more heartwrenching was this:

"People in my neighborhood are feeling guilty about it being Christmas. They are taking down decorations," said Jeannie Pasacreta, a psychologist who volunteered her services and was advising parents struggling with how to talk to their children.

The Founding Fathers and those who fought in the Continental Army were our original Western Heroes, guided by the thinkers of the Enlightenment and following in the footsteps of great warriors like Jan Sobieski and Charles Martel.